Ingredients of a Winning Presentation Team

There are some really simple ingredients that I want you to be clear on when it comes to building a winning team for an interview, shortlist, presentation, project, or pitch — the ones that you do to win the work. This has been an interesting year for me, in that I have predicted with my assistant every interview that was going to win. It doesn’t mean that the teams that didn’t win were obvious; they were very, very good. It’s just that at this point in my career, I’ve developed a sense — an instinct — that tells me, “We’ve got this one.”

I’ve been asking myself what gives me that feeling, that intuition that a team is going to take the project. Of course, there’s a lot of pre-positioning that goes into the win, and where you stand isn’t always the same. But I’ve walked out of two recent underdog scenarios absolutely certain that we were going to win — and we did. There are a few simple ingredients that consistently show up in winning teams: casting right, strategizing right, rehearsing right, managing your outside advice or mock selection committee input right, and knowing how to back down from rehearsal at the right time to save your performance.

Casting the Right Team

The first ingredient is casting, and it’s a two-parter. Think of it like casting a television show — you need the right lead and the right supporting cast. When you get that mix right, it sings. Replace one key player, and the chemistry can disappear. Some people can command the stage naturally — they might be an outgoing leader or even a quiet engineer — but they have that ability to step up and take the “host” role. The person leading your interview needs to have that presence and confidence to be the face of the team.

The supporting cast should bring diversity — in the classic sense (culture, race, gender) but also in personality, position, and perspective. You want to show a front-facing lead supported by a variety of people who play well together, creating a strong and dynamic presentation team.

Developing a Clear Strategy

The next ingredient is strategy. The first rule is simple: have a strategy. Many teams go into a shortlist interview or AEC presentation without one. You need a clear plan for how you’re approaching your presentation and Q&A. And once you have it, stick to it. Every team that has won with us this year has stuck to their strategy. Even when they brought in new people, they defended their approach, stayed aligned, and rode it through to the end.

Building Supportive Mock Selection Committees

The next key element is mock selection committee support — the outside advisors who review your presentation and Q&A. You need to bring in a mock selection committee that builds your confidence, even while they’re offering constructive feedback. On every winning team I’ve coached, their mock committee took pride in the presenters. They gave feedback, yes, but they also radiated belief in the group. That supportive energy matters. Bring in people who will bolster your confidence, not tear it down.

Integrating Presentation and Q&A Practice

Next comes integrating the practice of presenting with the practice of Q&A. Too many teams rehearse them separately, but they should evolve together. You never know what the make-or-break moment will be — the presentation itself or the conversation that follows. So, build both skills side by side. Practice your storytelling, flow, and visuals, but also rehearse how you respond, connect, and adapt under pressure. This integration is key to strong communication and presence during high-stakes interviews.

Rehearsing to the Right Level

Finally, rehearse enough to reach that critical point where you know the material so well that it flows naturally — and then back down. Don’t over-rehearse to the point where it sounds mechanical. The best teams I’ve worked with rehearse until they have clarity, rhythm, and presence, then stop and let that confidence settle. They keep refining their awareness of sequence and flow without burning out their performance energy.

Putting It All Together

All the winning teams I’ve seen this year shared these essential ingredients. They cast the right people, with a confident lead and a diverse, cohesive supporting team. They developed and committed to a clear strategy. They brought in supportive mock reviewers who built belief. They practiced both presentation and Q&A together, and they rehearsed to the perfect level of readiness — confident, relaxed, and real. Do those things, and you’ll dramatically increase your chances of winning your next AEC shortlist interview or project presentation.

It takes commitment to reach that level of preparation. But when you do, you can walk into the room, own your message, and create a presentation experience that truly carries the day.